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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Grafton meeting. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.

2. Lately was a popular maiden win at his second start then went straight to a Class 2 at Eagle Farm and wasn’t beaten far. Still has upside and is a solid chance here.

Dangers: 7. Gracious Gracie backs up after a gallant second here last Sunday over 1720m where she gave the winner the cart into the race. Now up to 16 starts without a win but she is very honest and sure to be competitive.6. La Rosa D'Oro started $41 but led all the way to break through at Coffs Harbour at her seventh start. Interesting to see if she can hold form. 3. Love The Look is next best, was placed over this course three runs back and on that has a show.

How to play it: Lately WIN ($1.45 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Lately runs fifth at Eagle Farm on June 29

12. Lady Wardell is a very interesting runner, making her debut after a narrow win over Durnstein in her trial a month ago. That looks handy form now and while drawn a shade awkwardly she’s a big watch and any support is significant.

Dangers: 1. Chameleon Choice was a drifting favourite when beaten at Taree last time out but did have some excuse after racing wide. Game effort fresh and entitled to another chance. 5. Single Touch is ex-Gary Portelli and has trialled okay on two occasions for the new stable. Pushed a bit to win last time but drawn well and nicely placed here fresh. Keep safe. 11. War Lady wasn’t disgraced in his first start for John Shelton running fourth at Coffs Harbour. Did trial well going into that and is fitter here so could be an improver.

How to play it: Lady Wardell WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Lady Wardell wins a trial at Grafton on June 11

4. Oblivion has improved with each run this time in and was well supported when a close fourth at Coffs Harbour two weeks ago. Not overly concerned by the wide gate over the short trip, he has a good chance to be in the finish.

Dangers: 5. Awesome Miss was going well early in this prep with an easy maiden win in May. Genuine excuse last time at Armidale pulling up with cardiac arrhythmia and has since trialled well. Can show up. 6. Sahana was solid in betting first-up and always looked in control outside the lead before edging away late. Extra 100m only a plus for her and while up in class is one of the chances. 10. Forked Tongue backed up a handy first-up effort here to win at Murwillumbah on a soft 7. Lightly raced and not out of this.

How to play it: Oblivion E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Oblivion runs fourth at Coffs Harbour on June 26

14. Spitfire Sun ran well on debut at Wagga then had a task from last on the turn at Moruya and forced to make his run in inferior ground but ran on into a handy fourth. Extra trip a big help to his chances and looks close to a win.

Dangers: 9. Golden Chances has had a few goes with 20 starts to her name but worth thought back to country grade. Nice effort first-up despite being beaten as favourite then even at Newcastle last time. Has a show. 10. My Water Lilly disappointed when up to a mile last time out but has claims on handy on pace second at Coffs prior. 3. Fausto hasn't raced since February and while drawn wide he has trialled okay leading into this and could show up.

How to play it: Spitfire Sun WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Spitfire Sun runs fourth at Moruya on July 1

3. Hettinger wasn’t disgraced at Eagle Farm last time and two previous runs this time in also had merit, particularly the second-up third at Scone where he found the line. Wide open race and this is a very good chance for him to make an impact.

Dangers: 2. Beacon Place was a big drifter first-up at Coffs but raced on the pace and stuck on gamely to run third in a promising return. Can only be better for it and looms as a threat. 13. Pretes is favourite here but does need to lift her game on what we’ve seen in three starts to date, albeit all in city maidens. Safely held at Canterbury last time but blinkers go on and this is obviously a bit easier so she’s entitled to show more. 9. Zambrero is another coming into this race off city maidens where he hasn’t been competitive as yet. Second trial this time in was okay and he will have his chance to show up fresh.

How to play it: Hettinger E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Hettinger runs third at Scone on June 14

11. Viking Power will be a lot fitter for his first-up effort at Moruya where he carried 61kg off no trials and ran a nice race finishing midfield. Might need one more to peak but extra trip and 6kg drop are in his favour and he’s a good chance.

Dangers: 5. Ultimate Man was a winner here in April on a heavy 10 then freshened up after a fair effort up to a mile at the end of that month. All three wins have come on his home track and will relish this trip first-up. Keep safe. 4. Field Regiment has been hit and miss this time in with two wins and two failures but he is better suited here than last time at Doomben where he led and knocked up. 7 Anubis has only won two from 24 but has placed in three of his last five including a game second at Muswellbrook last week.

How to play it: Viking Power E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Viking Power runs sixth at Moruya on June 21

***BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY RACE***

12. Wicklow is a short priced favourite to win the feature and rightly so, he’s a very promising type and showed he’s back in good order with a superb last to first win at Rosehill second-up. Can only be fitter, a mile suits, drops in weight and has all the upside. Dare it be said, looks close to a good thing.

Dangers: 2. Lightning Jack won over a mile at Randwick back in December and his three runs back have been sound, decreasing in distance each time. That can’t have helped him. Ran on well behind Taksu last time and the return to a mile is in his favour. Go well. 11. Solar Apex ran a big race two starts ago in a slowly run affair then seemed to have his chance when a beaten favourite at Randwick two weeks ago. No harder here so is one of the main chances. 3. Surf Dancer is a noted front runner and if he gets any control can be hard to run down. Dictated when winning second-up, beating Solar Apex, then out to 2000m wasn’t able to repeat. Will go forward and well worth another chance.

How to play it: Wicklow WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Wicklow wins at Rosehill on June 18

11. Flying Banjo will need some luck from the wide gate but it may not be an issue by this point, so check for a pattern. Easy winner at Armidale two back before a sound effort at Coffs over this trip. Will be running on and is a good chance.

Dangers: 6. Letmeletgo had plenty of support last start at Gosford and didn’t live up to expectations in a small field. Form prior was mixed but this is easier and he’s a likely improver. 3. Claptone showed a return to form with a handy on pace third at Taree on a soft 7 and he did have some support there at longer odds. If he can back that performance up he’s more than capable of featuring. 16. Fenerbache doesn't win often but hasn't been far away of late and boxed on well behind an in-form horse here a month ago. Could place.

How to play it: Flying Banjo E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Flying Banjo runs third at Coffs Harbour on June 17

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Grafton meeting